With over 40 people trained, a 120–strong volunteer pool created, and the first maintenance days delivered at Davagh, Gortin and Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails, it has been a strong start for Northern Ireland’s new Maintenance Scheme.
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The new Mountain Bike Maintenance Scheme Pilot to support the upkeep of Northern Ireland’s official mountain bike trail centres is gathering pace, with successful volunteer maintenance sessions having been delivered at Davagh Forest, Gortin Glen and Castlewellan. A session is scheduled next week for Barnett Demesne trails in the centre of Belfast, and more will follow at Gosford Forest Park and Garvagh Forest.
Developed by Outscape (the team behind MountainBikeNI), Cycling Ireland and The Outdoor Partnership, the Scheme has created a database of over 120 willing volunteers, trained more than 40 land managers and volunteers through the nationally renowned Campbell Coaching and helped to supply new hand tools for land managers to improve on-site delivery. The training approach combined classroom learning with hands on skills to embed consistent standards across trail centres.
Philip Weston, Head of Place Shaping at Outscape, said:
Mountain biking in Northern Ireland has needed this type of initiative for a long time, and it is really positive to see the support from the riding community and the land managers. There is a real opportunity here to develop relationships and skillsets across the sport – something that we hope to build on for the future.
Mid Ulster District Council
One of the first councils to get behind the Scheme was Mid Ulster District Council. Recognising the success of the new maintenance scheme, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Frances Burton said:
As Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, I warmly welcome the success of the new Mountain Bike Maintenance Scheme, which plays a vital role in supporting the upkeep of Northern Ireland’s official trail centres, including the impressive Davagh Forest trails right here in Mid Ulster.
These exceptional facilities not only promote health and wellbeing but also contribute significantly to tourism and the local economy. Continued investment in their maintenance ensures that riders of all levels can enjoy safe, high-quality trails for years to come.
The initial maintenance sessions have involved the reshaping of berms on the skills area and ‘Run Ragley Run’ at Davagh and lower sections of ‘The Roller Coaster’ at Gortin, as well as improving drainage and resurfacing an uphill section of trail at Castlewellan.
The scheme is supported by the UK Trails Project, which aims to enhance the sustainability, security and inclusivity of the trail network across the UK. Phase 1 of this project explored the current situation and brought together key stakeholders, providing a catalyst for building partnerships, strengthening relationships and developing new initiatives to support and develop mountain biking in Northern Ireland.
UK Trails Project Manager, Dave Evans said:
When I first visited Northern Ireland in December 2023, I was struck by the beauty of the countryside and the great potential for mountain biking within it. I am proud to see how the volunteer Maintenance Scheme Pilot has enabled both land managers and mountain bikers to get the training and resources to start taking care of and improving the trail centres across NI.
As this Scheme builds the competence and confidence of all involved, I look forward to assisting with the direction and resources needed to make best use of riding communities’ passion for their trails, and create a great future for trails and riders across NI.
The Scheme is an important first step in improving the rider experience, developing relationships and supporting land managers through an accredited, coordinated and consistent maintenance model that can be scaled across Northern Ireland. Cycling Ireland / Ulster and The Outdoor Partnership have both played an important role in developing, supporting and delivering the Scheme.
Gary McKeegan of Cycling Ireland Ulster said:
We are delighted to support this innovative project in collaboration with our partners and local authorities across Northern Ireland. It is kick-starting a new relationship not only between off-road cycling disciplines and landowners and land managers, but also between Cycling Ireland and the off-road community.
Gary Donaldson from The Outdoor Partnership added:
The Outdoor Partnership is thrilled to back the volunteers participating in this initiative, and it is great to see all key stakeholders engaged — from trail users and land managers to Cycling Ireland. Trail maintenance and volunteering are vital parts of the mountain biking community. As an avid mountain biker, I see this as a strong step forward in building new relationships and helping our sport to grow.
Ultimately, the partners aim to expand the Scheme and embed a sustainable model that keeps official trail centres riding well year-round through a collaborative and mutually beneficial system.
For updates on the Pilot Scheme and opportunities to get involved, follow MountainBikeNI.
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